Railway light signal



March 19, 1929.

EA. EVE RETT RAILWAY LIGHT SIGNAL 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 6; 1925 INVEN TOR.

BY ww Filed Odt. 6, 1925- a Sheets -Sheet 2 I N V EN TOR.

By 57 094 Y ORNEY.

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 m/ F m m w E M 1m L1,? f w m M l fiwmn/ 3 WM. 0

E. A. EVERETT RAILWAY LIGHT SIGNAL Filed Oct. 6, 1925 March 19, 1929.

mana in w Patented Mar. 19, 1929.

"UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD A. EVERETT, or nnw YORK, N. Y.

RAIL AY LIGHT SIGNAL.

Application filed October 6,1925. Serial No. 60,899.

This invention relates to light'signals and particularly to a novel means of supporting and adjusting a signal of this type and to certain novel features in the construction of. the signal itself whereby the signal is adaptable for universal use and is manufactured with precision so that. the parts may be interchanged and adjusted with the utmostjfaciL ity under the conditions of service. I

This invention is intended for use primarly with electric light as the source of illumination. Heretoforc light signals using, electric 7 light have been adapted from the earlier types of oil lamp, usually constructed of sheet metal or sheet metal and casting with the result that as the metal warped'under heat and usage the relation between the parts was dlsturbed and the light would get out of focus or otherwise the efliciency of the signal wasimpaired. L ght signals using electricity as the source of lighthavealso been constructedfrom grey cast iron patterned after theoil lamp. These cast signals are designed to a void machining of the parts and do not provide any accuraterelation between the source of illuminant and the lens or reflectorjwith the result that the lamp bulb must always be positioned on an adjustable stand so that it can be brought into proper focus with the lens.

1n the present invention the signal is made from acasting, preferably aluminum, in the fernrof a horizontal cylinder which is accurately machined to receive the lens and to receive the lamp bulb holderso. that these 4 parts always bear a fixed and accurate relation to each other which is maintained by the casting itself. The lamp bulb may be replaced by other bulbs similarly constructed without disturbing the focal arrangement of the signal, withoutconsumingtlme formak- .ing'adjustments' and removing the possibility of placing the bulb improperly in its holder.

7 Signals of this type give their. indication by a beam of light and in order to. direct the beam in a predetermined direction, the lamp supporting bracket is usually adjustable by an arrangement including a pluralityof adjusting screws which must be adjustedeach time the beam of light is broughtfto a new'position. In the present invention adjustment of the direction of the beam of light is ob-' tained by a novel type of bracket supporting the signal and which is pivotallyadjustable .intwo planes at right angles to each other so that the beam'may be directed'both vertically and horizontally to the position desired.

One of these pivots however alignswith the 7 vertical centre of the. source jof' llumi'natioli so that the signal may be turned, about this pivot through 180 thus rotating the beam of light in ,ajhorizontal plane without changing its verticalangle; By rotating thesignal in "this manner tlie ,l 3eain of light may b'e'dis- .vation showing the construction of one form of the signal, Fig. 4 is a'front view of the, ring for supporting the lamp bulb, Fig. 5 is one form of sight that may be used for testing the s gnal, Fig. 6 is a'lamp bulb showing in sectional elevation the supporting member, Fig. 7 1s plan viewof the bulb support with the bulb removed, Fig.8 is a cross-section of the rear of the signal cylinder showing the niethod of securing the door-,Fig. 9 isan elevation of the rear of the signal showing the door clamp,F1g. 10 is a section of the rear of the signal taken at right angles to Fig. 8 and Fig.

1l is plan'view showingthe application of this s gnal and its universal adaptability.

In the draw ngs, Figs. 1. '2 and 11, 11 is the signal mast, which as illustrated is of the usual pipe construction used in railway sig- The bracket 13 1s clamped to this mast nals.

by the U-bolt 12in the desired position. The

bracket 13 has a shank 14; which terminates in a disc like head 15. Againstv this head a similar disc 16 formed integral with the arm 17 issecured by the stud bolt 18. This stud bolt passes through the centre of discs 15 and 16- which engage on surfaces that have been accurately machined. The stud18 therefore forms I a pivot about which the bracket arm 17 may be rotated in a true circle, andthe friction of discs 15 and 16 prevents the arm turning when 18 is tightened.

The device 23 is referred to generally as the 8 signal being the housing of the lamp bulb 38 and the lens .24 and the source from which the indication of the signal originates. This device comprises a cylindrical housing 26 supported on a circular base 22 over the disc like support 19' forming the terminal of arm 17. A stud 21 passes through 20 and through the centre of 22 so that the lamp 23 may be rotated. on this stud as a pivot while the machined surfaces between 19 and 22 holds the signal in vertical alignment on stud 21.

In applying this bracket it will be observed that the centre line of the bracket a-b passes through the centre of the signal mast 11, through pivot 13 and through the centre of 19, that is through the centre of pivot 21. Pivot 21 falls in the vertical plane c-0Z passing through the centre of the signal and intersecting the axial line e-f. It is apparent that the arm 17 may be rotated on pivot 18 causing rotation in a vertical plane of a beam of light from 2 1; and 23 may be rotated on pivot 21 causing rotation in a horizontal plane of a beam of light from 2 1. These rotations may be independently adjusted so that the light beam can be directed to any angular position desired. In applying this arrangement to Fig. 11 where the signal is used with a semaphore spectacle, 101 represents a spectacle casting having a roundal 102 which is illuminated by 23 and 103 is a similar spectacle casting on the opposite side of the pole 11 having a roundal 104. illuminated by the signal 23 which is similar to 23 but is clamped to the opposite side of the pole. In the arrangement described the spectacle castings are in staggered relation about the pole. When these casting extend in the reverse direction from the pole as at 105 shown dotted, the signal 23 is rotated on pivot 21 about 180 and it is then in proper relation to this spectacle for illuminating the roundal. nal is thus of universal application.

The construction of the signalitself will be understood from. Fig. 3. This comprises a cylindrical body 26 which has a turned ledge or shoulder at 27 about the axial line e-f to receive the lens 24 which is thus ac curately centered on the axis of the cylinder. A hood 28 may be provided when this signal is used for daylight indications. An annular rib 29 is provided in the cylinder which is accurately machined on one side perpendicular to the axial line cf and the cylinder walls are machined at 30 with ef as a centre. In this machined portion of the interior of the cylinder a ring 33 is placed which is correspondingly machined where it engages the annular rib 29 and the surface 33. This ring is shown in the'plan view, Fig. 1 and is free to rotate about the axis ef while it carries the lamp bulb 38 hereafter referred to. The ring is locked in position by a tapered screw 34 which expands the ring where it is bisected until it fits tightly in the cylinder. The cylinder is provided with a rear cover 31 rabbeted by a machined surface at 32 to engage the cylinder wall with a tight fit, thus avoiding the use of gaskets which heretofore This sighave been commonly used in structures of this kind. The method of securing this cover is more particularly referred to hereafter.

From Fig. 4 it will be observed that a transverseslot is cut in ring 33 at 3'5 and a hole is drilled in the ring at 36 perpendicular to the centre on the section of the ring at 33 which is reduced to a plane surface on the chord as shown. The lamp bulb 38 is supported by a base of insulating material 51 whichfits the slot 35 in'ring 33 and has a stem 36 which passes through the hole 36. Moulded into or secured to the base 51 is'the metallic ferrule 3'7 which is sawn transversely into segments and has a tapered thread on the outside engaged by the ring 53. This ferrule is centered in the stem 36 and the shoulder of the stem where it engages the slot 35 is accurately machined with relation to the upper end of the ferrule. The lamp bulb 38 is provided with the usual base or socket 52 which is turned down at 54 to be engaged by 37 and is provided with a collar 55 resting upon 37 and may be rotated in 37. One side of the circuit of the lamp bulb is made through 54 and 37 and the other side is made through the central contact 56, stem 57, spring 58 and binding post 59. The circuit is continued by flexible wires from these parts to the binding posts 83, Fig. 9; these flexible conductors, however, are not shown in the drawings.

If the filament 11 of the lamp bulb 38 is positioned with relation to the socket 52 and the collar 55, it is apparent that such lamp bulbs can be removed and replaced in this support by manipulating the clamping ring 53 and the filament will always bear a predetermined relation to the base 51,.to the ring 33 and finally to the cylinder 26 and lens 24. In practice the filament 11 is arranged to fall in the axial line ef of the cylinder and from Fig. 3 it will be observed that the vertical axis of the lamp bulb'is arranged to fall in the plane of line 0(Z which is the plane of the supporting pivot 21. Thus the ring 33 may be rotated and locked in any position without changing the focal arrangement between the filament 41 and the lens 24; and lamp bulbs can be quickly replaced maintaining these conditions without making'adjustments and without depending upon springs or other flexible members to maintain the state of adjustment set up. This is a matter of considerable importance in railway signals where reliable operation is required over long intervals without inspection. 3

There are several advantages in the ring type of lamp support described. The ring with the bulb can be quickly removed from the housing for inspection and reinserted and there is no possibility of inserting it wrongly as the ring has only one position. provides a rapid method of machining the parts with relation to the cylinder as the.

The r ng operations are all made from a common centre; and it is found in practice that'there'is a tendency for the lamp filament to sag due to the action of gravity which is readily corrected by rotating the ring support of the bulb.

flector 4-2 is secured by nut 49. r The stem 48' is extended as indicated at 43 andhas raised ledges to receive the studs 50 and 51. It will be observed that the studs 50 and 51, the reflector 42 and the bar l? are drilled with a sight hole on the line c-f, that is the axial line of lens 24 and the line of filament ll. The cover is provided with an apertureor window at 4A through which the filament of the lamp may be sighted without removing the cover. This aliords a ready means of determining that the filament is in the focus of the lens.

The cover of the signal is secured by a gim bal construction which. provides .a clamping effect evenly distributed to hold the cover I tightly on the cylinder. This comprises the clamping bar 6971 passing across the outside of the cover and pivoted to the cylinder 26 at 70, Fig. 8 and formed into a jaw 72 at the opposite end to receive the screw stem 75 which is pivoted to the cylinder at 74 and is provided with a wing nut 7 7. The cross bar 697l is formed in a ring 68- at the centre whichis pivotallysecured to upstanding-members 72 and 73 from the cover as shown in Fig. 10, these pivots being at right angles to'the clamping bar 69-71, thus affording freedom 8 for the cover to seat itself on the cylinder with an even pressure all round as the wing nut 77 is tightened. The cover is provided with suitable strengthening ribs 66 as shown and has a projecting cone formation 67 in the centre to provide space for the sighting device.

The wing nut 77 is provided with pertorated flanges .78 as shown which align with a perforated lug 7 6 extending from the jaw 72. By this means the cover is locked by the padlock 79.

In Figs. 9 and 10 an outlet box is shown for the electrical conductors.

der and is provided with a cover 85. The fiexible conduit enters this box through 82 where connections are made to the terminals 83. These terminals enter the cylinder through a block of insulation 84 which is inserted in the threaded opening of the casting with a driving fit thereby closing the cylinder at this point. It will thus be observed that the entire housing of the lamp bulb is a closed container which is dust proof and can practically be made air tight if so desired.

For the purpose of inspecting the signal This box 81 is formed integral with the casting of the cylin- A modified form of sighting device is shown inFig. 8. In this case the bracket A7 formed integral with ring 33 and has an offset boss on the centre line 6+ which is drilled to receive the sighting tube 61 which is clamped in position by the screw 62. This sighting tube isconstructed like a surveyo1"s instrument with cross-hairs at (53 and 6a defining, the line of sight. By removing the lamp bulb it is possible with this sighting device to locate-aposition on a railway track in which the beam of light is to be directed and thus the permanent adjustment ofthe signal may be obtained.

The reflector a2 is secured to a thimble 65 which is screwed into the casting 4-7 and may i be removed and replaced without disturbing the sight's'or the adjustments of the signal. I The cover 31 is practically rain proof being shielded in the upper semicircle by the proj ection 91. of the cylinder wall and byhaving an eccentric projection 92 integral with the lower half of the cover which projects, as shown in Fi 10 below the edge oi? the cylinder thereby causing water to drip at the lowest point which is below the edge oiithe cylinder.

lVith this invention it will be'noted that the source of illumination of the signal is located on the centre line'of the supporting mast and the signal 1s rotatable so that it 1s equally eflight in a railwayfllight signal. container, in

combinatioma hollow body having an inside cylindrical surface, a ring formed with an outside peripheral surface snugly fitting the said inside surface; means embodied in the ring for preventing turning of the ring relatively to the inside surface and a lamp having a concentrated filament supported by the ring across its diameter with the filament in the centre of the ring.

2. A railway light signal of the class described comprising a lamp housing having a cylindrical inner surface with a lens supported thereon, alamp bulb with a concentrated filament and a base, means in said housing rotatable about the axis of said lens supporting said base elf-centered from said axis and with its-axial line at right angles to said first namedraxis and locating said filament on said first named axis.

3. A railway'light signal of the class described comprisinga lamp housing having a cylindrical inner surface with a lens sup ported thereon, a lamp bulb with a concentrated filament and a base, a base support and a ring in said cylinder rotatable about the axis oi said lens and havii'ig a slot olicentered from said axis to receive said base and locate said filament on said axis.

l. A railway light signal of the class described comprising a lamp housing having a cylindrical inner surface with a lens supported thereon, a lamp bulb with a concentrated filament and a base, a ring in said cylinder rotatable about the axis of said lens and means in said ring for supporting said bulb radially from said ring with the filament located on said axis.

5. .A railway light signal as described comprising a lamp housing having a cylindrical inner surface with a projecting ridge, a lens fixedly supported by said housing, a ring in said housing centered on the axial line of said cylinder and engaging said ridge to position it relative to said lens, a lamp bulb, with a filament, supported by said ring and a refiector for said lamp bulb supported by said ring.

6. an articleo'f manufacture, the combination of a lamp housing having a cylindrieal inner surface with a lens supported thereon centered. on the axial line of the cylinder, a rim formed with an outside peripheral surface snugly fitting the said inner surface and arranged to rotate thereon, and a lamp bulb having a filament supported from the periphery of said ring with the filament positioned on said axial line.

7. A railway light signal comprising a housing having a horizontal cylindrical inner StlP'ltlCe with a projecting lens supported thereon centered on the axial line 01 said cyliuder, a ring member engaging said inner surtace substantially at a point perpendicular to the focal point of said lens, a lamp bulb with a concentrated filament supported by said ring member with the filament located on said axial line, said housing having a horizontal base through which it is pivotally mounted for rotation through an arc of at least 90 and said filamentlocated on the vertical axis of said pivot whereby'said housing may be rotated on its support without changing the relative position of the support and filament 8. In a rail "ay light signal as described, the combination, av lamp housing having a cylindrical interior surface'with a lens supported thereon centered on the axial line oi the cylinder and a ring in said housing centered on the axial line of said cylinder and engaging said interior surface and having a bar diametrically connected therewith, a sighting device supported by said bar, and a light source located on said axial line,v said sighting device being arranged to sight on said axial line.

9. A railway light signal as described comprising a lamp housing having a cylindrical interior surface with a lens supported thereon centered on the axial line of the cylinder, a ring in said housing centered on the axial line of said cylinder and engaging said interior surface, a lamp bulb having a filament supported by said ring and a sighting device for sighting said fil: ment supported.

by said ring to sight on the axial line of said cylinder.

10. In a railway light signal as described,

the combination of a lamp housing with a lens supported thereon, a member rotatably supported within said housing about the axis of said lens, a lamp bulb having a filament supported by said member and a sighting device supported by said rotatable member sighting said filament on the axis of said lens.

11. As a means for supporting a source of light in a railway light signal container, in combination, a hollow body, a circular surface formed within said body, a ring formed with an outside peripl'ieral sur'tacerotating within and snugly fitting said circular surface, means for expanding saidring to lock it in any position and a light bulb having a filament supported by said ring with the filament in the centre of the ring.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 25th day of September A. D. 1925.

EDTVARD A. EVERETT. 

